How to Send Emails Using Gmail SMTP with Cloudflare Email Routing?
I'm Pierre-Henry Soria. A passionate full stack engineer, building things that matter, making a real impact on the world.
Really like to take care of others and manage my workflow based on productivity methodologies.
Open to fast-paced changes with rapidly evolving business and technologies. I'm always thirsty to learn and undertake new exciting things and thrilling challenges.
In this dev post, I will describe the steps you can use for sending emails through Gmail SMTP with Cloudflare Email Routing.
There are various reasons why you might want Cloudflare to forward emails directly to your Gmail account, and you, being able to reply directly with your new alias email. For cost-efficiency for instance (no SMTP mail server required, and/or easier to setup and manage than your own one, etc).
In my case for instance, I have Cloudflare with my DNS pointing to Webflow and AWS for the SaaS products and APIs. I don't want to worry about my email addresses. I just prefer to forward them to Gmail directly.
You will see, it's actually very easy and handy thanks to the free Cloudflare Routing option (that has now been available for over two years, part of the free Cloudflare tier!)
1: Create Google App Password
To ensure that the configuration using the alias email works, we first need to create a Google App Password. Otherwise, we will be blocked by two-factor authentication (2FA) when connecting to Gmail SMTP (if 2FA is enabled, which is highly recommended).
To create an App Password for Gmail, go to Create an App Password in your Google account. Direct link: https://security.google.com/settings/security/apppasswords
Give it a memorable name, generate the unique app password, and store it securely.
2: Add Cloudflare Email to Gmail Alias
In Gmail, go to Manage Labels (AKA Settings) → Accounts and Import → Add another email address.
There, type your desire name and your Cloudflare-routed email address.
Check the "Treat as an alias" box, and click next.
3: SMTP Details
Mention the following configuration:
SMTP Server:
smtp.gmail.comPort:
587(it's the recommended TLS port over465, as now outdated).Username: Your Gmail username (the first part before the
@. If your email ispierre@gmail.com, it will bepierrePassword: The generated password you copied from Google App Password.
Encryption: Select TLS
Once saved, you will receive a confirmation email from Gmail. Click on the link to confirm the added email.
4: SPF Record & DMARC Policy
Still in your Cloudflare account -> DNS, add the following:
SPF Record
Type:
TXTName:
@TTL:
autoContent:
v=spf1 include:_spf.mx.cloudflare.net include:_spf.google.com ~all
DMARC Policy
To help both email recipient and sender from threats such as email spoofing, phishing, and spam attempts, you should also add a DMARC Policy to monitor emails. Ensure the p parameter is set to none.
In Cloudflare DNS, create a new TXT record:
DMARC Record
Type:
TXTName:
_dmarcTTL:
autoContent:
v=DMARC1; p=none; rua=mailto:YOU@YOUR-DOMAIN.COM
DMARC with Multiple Email Addresses
To handle multiple emails, you need to add them separated by a comma, one after the other.
v=DMARC1; p=none; rua=mailto:email1@domain.com,email2@domain.com,email3@domain.com
Enjoy! 🥳
You’re now all set! You can send emails using Gmail SMTP with your Cloudflare-routed email address. When replying to emails, your Cloudflare email address should automatically appear in the From: field.
You may also be interested in reading:
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I hope it helps 🤠 Enjoy your day! ☺️
